Can for dispensing fluids



Feb. 24, 1931. MILLER CAN FOR DISPENSING FLUIDS M M u m 3 1 2 1/ v w .1F w nvnfil i J llllll I H H- l l l l llllll l I g H I i 6 fl a f 5 m F.I I A! .1 27a R my 3 f w 1 -i I 1 x aftouwq Patented Feb. 24, 1931UNITED STATES 'Josnrn n. MILLER, or HOUSTON, TEXAS CAN FOR DISPENSINGFLUIDS Application filed September 21, 1928.

This invention relates to an improved can for dispensing fluids and isparticularly designed for dispensing fluids through a nozzle whichfluids contain substances that are liable to clog the nozzle outlet.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved device on theinterior of the can which may be projected out through the nozzle-outletto free the latter prior to the dispensing operation.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein,-

Fig. 1 shows the complete can in longitudinal section with my improvednozzle opener in the normal retracted position therein.

Fig. 2 illustrates a sectional elevation of the same with the nozzleopener in the projected position to free the nozzle and permit thecontents to be discharged, and

Fig. 3 shows an enlarged sectional detail of the nozzle-end with thecleaner-end of the opener in the operating position therein.

Referring to the drawingflthe numeral 5 2 designates a dispensingcan-body of sheet metal having a flexible bottom 6 and a breast 7 andthroat 8, which latter has exterior screw-threads 9.

A nozzle 10 of a tapered form has a screwhead 11 at its lower larger endso as to screw onto the throat 8.

A stem 12, is provided on the interior of the can and the lower end ofthis stem is attached to a concave-convex disk 13, which latterpreferably has an annular laterallyextending flat flange 14. This flatflange 14L normally seats on the bottom of the can directly below thenozzle.

The stem 12, extends from the disk up through the throat 8, and up intothe nozzle 10.

The upper end 15, of the stem is preferably normally flush with theextreme open end 16 of the nozzle to efiect a substantial closure atsaid end.

Immediately below the extreme end 15 of the stem, I provide the latterwith an annular circumferential groove 17. The precise shape of thisannular groove 17, is not essential, but I have found it advantageous toSerial No. 307,405.

form the same with oppositely inclined portions 18 and 19 which producesa greater depth of groove at the point 20, which is midway between thetwo extremities of. the groove, and avoids the formation of any abruptshoulders either above or below the point 20 of greatest depth.

Between the upper and lower ends of the stem, I provide the same withlaterally-projecting stop-means.

In the present instance, this stop means is formed by producing alaterally-extending loop 21 in the stem, which in practice is formed ofwire, and which loop is too large to enter the lower larger end of thetapered nozzle 10.

The position of this loop 21 is such that normally it will be slightlybelow the lower end of the nozzle so that the stem'may have a slightmovement outwardly through the nozzle before the loop willengage theinner end of the nozzle and form a stop, to limit such outward movement.

This amount of this movement however, is determined by the distance ofthe annular groove 17 from the outer end 15 of the stem, because it isdesired that when the deepest portion 20 of the groove is on a line withthe end 16, of the nozzle the stop loop 21 will then be seated at theinner end of the nozzle and prevent the stem from further outwardmovement.

This permits a portion 18 of the groove to be projected beyond the end16 of the nozzle but ensures that the other portion 19 of said groovewill be immediately at the inside of said open end, as shown in Fig. 3of the drawing.

Thus contents from the can may flow through the nozzle; pass theinclined part 19 l of the groove and discharge at the nozzle end 16 fromthe portions 20 and 18 of the groove.

The portion 18 of the groove, being inclined, avoids the formation of anabrupt shoulder which might tend to clog the nozzle-end and choke oilthe flow.

In the operation, after the can has been standing upright, a film of thefluid from the last use, may seal the outlet of the nozzle, but bypressing upwardly under the bottom 6 and bulging the same upwardly, thatlatter imparts an upward kick to the disk 13, as shown in Fig. 2 of thedrawing, which upward kick of the disk moves the stem 12 up and projectsthe upper end 15 beyond the nozzle-end 16 and clears the latter.

The can may now be inverted audit the nozzle is not entirely free andopen another pressure against the bottom will project the stem until thegroove 17 of the stem assumes the position shown in Fig. 3, at whichtime the stop-loop 21, will be seated against-the inner end of thenozzle and the stem be held in position to permit the fluid to flow outaround the groove and discharge from the nozzleoutlet 16.

The grooved stein therefore acts as a valve to closethe nozzle or toopen the latter.

Having described my invention, I claiin,-

The combination with a can-body having a throat with a screw capattached thereto and a tapered nozzle opening through the cap andextending outwardly therefrom of stem extending through the nozzle andcarrying a disk on its lower end which loosely seats on the bottom ofthe can-body said stem having an annular groove about its circumferenceslightly spaced from its outer end and normally in the nozzle and thestem having a crosswise-extendin stop loop formed therein adjacent tothe inner end of the nozzle but spaced from said nozzle-end a distanceequal to the distance of the stem groove from the outer end of thenozzle whereby when the bottom of the can is sprung inwardly the disk onthe stem will move the stem outwardly until the stop loop in the throatseats across the inner end of the nozzle to bring the groove at theouter end of the stem to the outer end of the nozzle and permit fluid toflow out.

In testimony whereof I aflix my si nature.

JOSEPH H. MIIFLER.

